5 must have tips for powerful user interface design
Posted in: Design, Design Blog, For Designers by Dennis Good on June 19, 2010 | No Comments
Strong user interface design has slowly improved over the years as designers have become more familiar with design and development tools. Competition is very strong today due to so many designers providing quality design at affordable prices. Design is being increasingly recognized as an essential element for businesses looking to step up their web site presence or redesign their brand identity.
1. Concepts and sketching:
Begin with a concept and your design will have a stronger message that establishes credibility your customers will value. After you’ve decided on a strong concept, start with rough sketches to explore different design possibilities. Try not to be too exact or careful with your initial sketches. They are meant to be used as a starting point to hone in on the good ideas and weed out the bad.
Once you feel you have explored a sufficient amount of ideas, move on to a few sketches you feel are strong and further refine these to a more polished state. Really begin to focus more on detail and think about what your final product might begin to look like. You still may be working out a few bugs, but it’s time to start committing to solid ideas to begin your compositions.
2. Simple and clean:
Typically a good design is easier and more intuitive to navigate. Clutter on your web site tends to clutter the minds of your users. A clear path to your important content is essential and is what your user is there for. A confusing initial visit may result in a speedy exit from your web site. Be clear and concise about your message and make it obvious where content is located. Successful interface design will have the perfect combination of well designed navigation and content organization.
3. Grid versus free flowing:
Grid based design provides users a predictable site layout for users to learn and find content quickly. For designers, it provides us with a method of organizing content to create systematic layouts for CMS sites, applications, blogs, etc.
Free flowing design is less about columns and more about visual harmony and content flow. Each page may have a unique layout for its content. There may not be an apparent plan or system in place for organizing the content. Many portfolio and showcase sites that are more about presentation than discussion will typically use a free flowing design.
4. Page and space:
There are many ways to avoid rigid and static looking content. Pull quotes are a great way to add emphasis to break up long columns or create an interesting use of type. These can systematically be used in a blog post or a regular content page. Like pull quotes, images can also be used to break up space to add visual rhythm and emphasis to certain areas. A good approach is to use images consistently in two to three places in your template for a more predictable layout.
5. Type and images:
Two of the strongest elements at your fingertips are type and images. Images used properly help balance what may be an initially rigid page design. An offset is used with overlapping page elements to unevenly break up spaces throughout the design. Template headers and footers are good areas for images and can be excellent locations to use these offsetting elements.
Typography is one of the strongest and most difficult ways to create rich design in your layouts. When you have reached your limits with the handful of web-safe fonts, there are many ways to change the look of headers, navigation links, body copy, etc. Since this post is about design, I will not dig into all of the possibilities. Just keep in mind that some methods are more elaborate than others, so work within your capabilities and you will be much happier.
An immediate mood can be established with a well selected font that compliments the content and overall concept of the website. A clean san-serif or fancy serif font can give two completely different personalities to your web site content. Keep in mind that your core design concept should have a substantial influence on your serif vs. san-serif choice and further your selection within these two categories. For example, a more sophisticated casual site could use the fonts Caslon, Baskerville or Georgia. A professional corporate site could use Avant Garde, Franklin Gothic or Avenir. Or a combination of the two can be carefully used in certain situations, but limit the number of fonts you use.
To achieve good rhythm and harmony with your web layouts, use these tips as a guide to get you started. Be smart and make conscious decisions throughout your process. Keep in mind that every decision you make affects your end product. That said, let loose and experiment early with your designs to generate unexpected results that will set you apart from other designers.
There are many methods designers use to achieve success in their web design.
What methods have you mastered along the way as a designer?
Design Links for May 25, 2010
Posted in: Design Blog, Design Links by Dennis Good on May 25, 2010 | No Comments
Red Web Designs to Inspire You
http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/50-red-web-designs-to-inspire-you
Beautiful and Very High-Resolution Wallpapers
http://sixrevisions.com/resources/40-beautiful-and-very-high-resolution-wallpapers/
Nuzzles: Wooden Name Puzzles
http://grainedit.com/2010/05/19/nuzzles-wooden-name-puzzles/
40 Excellent Fabric Textures for Your Next Designs
http://www.youthedesigner.com/2010/05/25/40-excellent-fabric-textures-for-your-next-designs/
Beautiful Human Portrait Typography Art Designs
http://www.onextrapixel.com/2010/05/18/35-beautiful-human-portrait-typography-art-designs/
Creative Website Design Showcase for Inspiration
http://blog.karachicorner.com/2010/05/50-creative-website-design-showcase-for-inspiration/
Design Links for May 20, 2010
Posted in: Design Blog, Design Links by Dennis Good on May 20, 2010 | No Comments
25 Church Websites
http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/galleries/church-websites-4/
Beautiful Biz Cards
http://blog.howdesign.com/2010/05/17/BeautifulBizCards.aspx
Letterpress Invitations for Inspiration
http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/a-showcase-of-letterpress-invitations-for-inspiration
Fresh And Creative Logo Designs for Design Inspiration
http://www.instantshift.com/2010/05/18/55-fresh-and-creative-logo-designs-for-design-inspiration/
Examples of Login Form Designs
http://www.youthedesigner.com/2010/05/14/30-examples-of-login-form-designs/
Contrasting effects of Day and Night Photography
http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/contrasting-day-night-photography/
Minimal and Super Clean Web Designs to Inspire You
http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/60-minimal-and-super-clean-web-designs-to-inspire-you
Business card design. Why it’s STILL important.
Posted in: Business by Dennis Good on May 19, 2010 | No Comments
I focus mainly on building websites these days, but I haven’t forgotten how important business cards are at representing my business. We do most of our communicating via email, phone, instant message, and social media sites. Think about how unique or almost strange it is when you get a hand written letter or something personally prepared and delivered. Delivering a business card by hand or my mail is almost a novelty today and can be memorable to a client prospect or current clients. Take advantage of the old way of doing business and it might surprise you.
First impression
Nothing can replace that first meeting in person. It’s a habit of mine to hand a client a card at the end of a meeting with hopes that they’ll remember my work or maybe consider a call when they need my services. There is value in putting a face to a name when business opportunities arise.
Paper lasts
Paper lasts for hundreds of years vs. an email that may get deleted or filed to never be seen again. Although email is great, hit prospects up multiple times with printed items to keep you fresh in their mind. A combination of digital and printed items can keep you at the top of a clients mind.
Quick look
An easy reference may be the simplest way to get you work. A couple of page flips or the turn of the card holder for some may be the quickest path for your prospect to make that call. Make it easy and have a card that stands out.
Services
Your business card is a calling card. Have your services or products on your card so that it can be referenced quickly. Your name, phone, and address are good, but take it further and remind your potential clients what you are good at by putting it on your cards.
Website
Your website could be the most viewed or thought of element in your marketing campaign. If you’re not putting your website on your cards, do it now. A website is the closest item to your business card that prospects will see. Display it and be proud.
Networking
While networking, you have a very short window to say who you are and what you do. After 10-15 introductions during a networking session, faces begin to fade and you begin to blend into the background. A well designed business card will leave the lasting impression you are looking to make.
New logos posted!
Posted in: Design, Design Blog by Dennis Good on May 13, 2010 | No Comments
Check out the entire collection here!
That’s good design
Posted in: Design, Design Blog, That's Good Design by Dennis Good on January 29, 2010 | No Comments
Vintage Posters
http://grainedit.com/2010/01/25/vintage-calendars/
Brent Couchman
http://grainedit.com/2010/01/22/brent-couchman/
20 Fonts Ideal for Big and Powerful Headings
http://webdesignledger.com/freebies/20-fonts-ideal-for-big-and-powerful-headings
30 Creative and Inspiring Blog Designs
http://webdesignledger.com/inspiration/30-creative-and-inspiring-blog-designs
30 Websites with Lovely Layout and Typography
http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2010/01/30-websites-with-lovely-layout-and-typography/
Color Theory for Designers, Part 1: The Meaning of Color
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/28/color-theory-for-designers-part-1-the-meaning-of-color/
Too many small projects? Make them big.
Posted in: Design Blog by Dennis Good on | No Comments
I met with two great people this morning over a cup of coffee about a small video we’re working on. Although it was a quick meeting about a very small project, I left feeling energetic and inspired about our what we were going to do and how we were going to make it fun. It was about the ideas and potentials of not only this project, but what it could lead to or generate.
Big projects are great, but we all have to take on the small projects as well that may not have the proper time allowance or budget to work with. This is when the real creativity kicks in. What are you going to do with that logo design that needs to be done the same day. Or the brochure that can only be black and white with no bleeds. What are you kidding me? A $50 banner design due tomorrow? This happens all to often in the design industry since clients are looking to save money and stretch their budgets.
Look past this small project too see what’s next on the horizon. What kind of great project could this lead to? What potentials are there for other work? Don’t be afraid to be generous with your hours from time to time. Good clients will appreciate your short term sacrifice and will reward you with more work in the future. Sometimes a good supply line of work at a slightly lower rate can be in your favor long term.
Be passionate about every project you take on. Big projects and especially the small projects. Bring those small projects to life and give them that extra shine and polish that your clients will love. Make them feel comfortable with you so that when that big project does come along, they’ll think of you first.
What is good design?
Posted in: Design Blog by Dennis Good on January 24, 2010 | No Comments
Lost Posters
I’m a pretty big lost fan and I have yet to see anything this creative come out of the design world related to this series. If you’re at all interested in design or just good creative ability, this is definitely worth a look.
http://mattsoncreative.com/blog/2010/01/18/lost-posters/
Creative Flash Designs
Flash has been around for quite a while and I’m always amazed at how designers use it to create wonderful web environments that give users the experience that could never be achieved with traditional web design.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/04/02/39-creative-flash-designs/
Truly Stunning Skateboard Designs
I used to hit the streets back in the day with my friends with some pretty cool boards, but I’ve never seen anything like this. These deck designs take skateboard designs to a whole new level. From the use of image to the typography these are sure to give any designer plenty of inspiration.
http://designrfix.com/inspiration/100-stunning-skateboard-designs
Where’s the value in graphic design?
Posted in: Design Blog by Dennis Good on November 6, 2009 | No Comments
Not an after thought. Graphic Design is not an added value. It’s not the icing on the cake and it’s certainly not an afterthought. Design is a necessity. Design has to be considered with any marketing effort or creative projects such as web sites, printed communication, brand marks and colors, advertising and so on. The list goes much farther than that, but my point is, people see YOU as YOUR brand and design is what makes up the visual aspects of your brand. Consider it first and do your homework as a business owner so that you are best representing your business with smart design.
You get what you pay for. Smart designer do their homework and ask lots of questions. Bad designers typically do not research their clients markets and find out who their competitors are. Ask your designer what their intentions are and what their thoughts are on creative direction and strategy. You’re not just buying design, you’re paying someone to think about the future of your business and how to lead you in the right direction. Good design is easy to understand and communicates well. Good design in thought provoking and memorable. Good design is innovative and fresh.
Quality comes with time. Give it time. Creative ideas do not come bursting out of the darkness like a flash of lighting, or come barreling down the road with guns a blazing to save the day. Design is done delicately and develops over a period of time with close attention to detail while taking many different alternatives into consideration. Good designers are very patient and open to many solutions and work toward the best solution possible at the time of need. Take time to consider, research, ask questions, change things, ask more questions… you get the idea.
The value of design does not jump and say here I am, here I am at the beginning of a project. The value of good design is in it’s results. Days, weeks, months, or even years after. Did it stand the test of time? Did it show my customers that I mean business and want to look professional in front of my clients.
There’s the value in graphic design.
Getting a great web site for your business.
Posted in: Design Blog, Web Design by Dennis Good on October 23, 2009 | No Comments
Why? Why would anyone want a web site for their business? Needless to say, every business that is serious about finding customers should have a web site? Big or small, they’re an excellent way for customers to find out where you’re located, how much your products cost, and to send you a quick message to tell you how great you’re doing. The process can be simple and straight forward to meet your needs without all the fluff from those big web development agencies.
Who? How in this big world of web design do you find the right folks to design and build your web site? This big question really depends on your needs. If you do any research at all, you’ll find that all web designers and web developers are good at certain things. Ask yourself what it is that you’re really looking for in a good web site. Then go out and find the people who are good at that and have a proven track record. We’re very strongly focused on design and working with your current brand to grow your business. The guy next door may not be so focused on design, but may have a ridiculous amount of knowledge on Search Engine Optimization. Who do you go with? Simply ask yourself what’s important to you.
Finished product? So once you’ve decided why your having a web site built in the first place, and who’s going to do it, how do you know if the guys you picked actually did a good job or not. Well, go back to your business goals and look at what you asked them to do. Did they do it? Was it successful? Maybe you’re goal was to increase sales in 2009. Did it happen? See if there is any measurable information on how your web site created your “success”. Most generally, I’m asked to design a web site for my clients, but what they’re really asking me to do is grow their business. And typically I get asked how I can measure such goals as higher sales, more customers, bigger leads, etc. Although, this is a partnership effort between you and your web designer, you should expect an expert opinion from your designer on the best way to report on such statistics.